Setting the Hook on Buzzbaits

[Topwater_Popper]

Today, as I was dreaming of the coming of spring, I was thinking of buzzbaits.  I have never hooked a fish on one.  When a fish strikes,

do you set the hook immediately, or wait a few seconds?  I know it is a little early to ask that question, but might as well be prepared.

Spring, come quickly!

[Bladesmith,]

Buzz baits are one of my favorite shallow water lures.I always set the hook immediately.Either the fish has it or he does not.If he does not,I always throw a plastic worm immediately to the same spot that I got the strike.Usually,I'll pick up any fish that missed the buzz bait with the worm.To do this,it's necessary to have a second rod with the worm already rigged standing by.Try it.It works for me,maybe it'll work for you too.

[craigaria]

Do not set the hook until you feel the fish on the line. It will take a little while to train yourself not to rip a hookset when the fish blows up on it. Sometimes the fish will completely miss the bait multiple times before finally getting a hold of it. Also, use a trailer hook to up your chance of a hookup...

[Nick B]

Do not set the hook until you feel the fish on the line. It will take a little while to train yourself not to rip a hookset when the fish blows up on it. Sometimes the fish will completely miss the bait multiple times before finally getting a hold of it. Also, use a trailer hook to up your chance of a hookup...

I have not missed a fish with a buzzbait doing this.

[ARfishermen08]

Do not set the hook until you feel the fish on the line. It will take a little while to train yourself not to rip a hookset when the fish blows up on it. Sometimes the fish will completely miss the bait multiple times before finally getting a hold of it. Also, use a trailer hook to up your chance of a hookup...

You are 100% correct with that one, as well as the old worm after the buzz bait trick.  A good trick is to look at other stuff while reeling in ur buzzbait, such as upcoming cover to cast to.  when a fish hits it, you will know when he pulls the bait.  I will soon come second nature to you.

[Garnet]

Just close your eyes and keep reeling when you feel the fish set.

Garnet

[ARfishermen08]

I like to use trailors, such as grubs or split tails on the back of all my buzzbaits.  I really like white the best, it seems to work well in my conditions.

[dink]

A delay definitely helps.  I actually do a "double pump" set.  When the fish hits, my body starts to set the hook but the rod never moves.  After that short pause, I then set it.

[Redlinerobert]

Buzzbaits, frogs, topwaters in general - I tend to wait til I feel the weight of the fish.

[Catt]

Delay all the way  

When I see, hear, or feel a strike I'll try to point my rod tip towards the fish and then set hook. The best teacher of setting hook is to fish at night, night fishing removes one of your senses (sight) making you concentrate on the others senses. If you have never fished a buzz bait during a new moon you aint enjoyed the thrill of top water fishing.

[jdw174]

I'm in with the "delay" crowd.  Of course, being old and slow helps a lot ;D

[flechero]

If you have never fished a buzz bait during a new moon you aint enjoyed the thrill of top water fishing.

Amen, brother!!

I set hook after: "one-thousand-one" or as I feel weight, whichever is sooner.

[RottManK9]

I always wait to feel the weight of the fish THEN I set the hook.

[Clayton]

Drop your rod then set the hook!

[NJBassDevil3254]

I cant help but set the hook right away when fishing a buzzbait. The hookset just comes naturaly. When I'm fishing a spook, popper, or frog, I let then have it for a few seconds and then I set the hook. I never acually feel the fish take it. Thats probably because I dont give them enough time to run with it ;D

I vary rarely loss fish on topwater. Besides a frog, I normaly always hook up with them.

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

Try a trailer hook and no matter how you set it you should hook em.

[flechero]

Try a trailer hook and no matter how you set it you should hook em.

It's not always an option... you can't run a trailer while skip topping matts or threading trees & bushes.  If you fish a lot of open water with buzzbaits then yes a trailer is good.

[Rattlinrogue]

I set the hook after a pause.I've missed a few being too trigger happy.I caught four of my 10 biggest bass this past year on a buzzbait(including an 8.1).I use white with a few strands of red,chartreuse w/red,and black w/red.My most successful color was the white.IMO,taking a pause is the way to go on this.

[llPa1nll]

Do not set the hook until you feel the fish on the line. It will take a little while to train yourself not to rip a hookset when the fish blows up on it. Sometimes the fish will completely miss the bait multiple times before finally getting a hold of it. Also, use a trailer hook to up your chance of a hookup...

I couldnt agree more, well said...

[MarVaBC]

99% of the time I am fishing a buzzbait with my rod tip up.....I have trained myself to just keep reeling when a strike occurs.  If they have it, the rod loads up and I set it, if they miss, the bait continues at the same speed and usually gets hit again.  This is a trial and error procedure, but you'll get the hang of it.  Buzzbait fishing is awesome!

[BadKarma42]

I don't pull until i feel them pull.

[island bassin]

I always set the hook immediately, i always use a trailer hook.

[Bass_junky]

Buzzbaits are great top water bait to teach newbies how to fish top water baits.  Let me explain.  Typically your rod is at approximately 10'-11' o'clock position with a buzz bait.  Teaching newbies to get used to this will help hook more fish.  The reason I state this is if you watch your lure when you see the swirl drop your rod to 7-8 o'clock prior to setting the hook.  This gives the delay to allow the fish to grab hold of your buzzbait and also teaches patience with other top water baits.  

To answer the question, I always delay setting the hook with top water baits.  My buddies frowned at me if i don't, due to the lure whizzing by their heads.

[Curado]

I agree with everyone that said wait until you feel the fish to set the hook. It can be hard to wait sometimes when you get so excited after that big blow up.